why should i take a course on western civilization

Like many liberal arts degrees, a background in Western Civilization can be applied to a wide array of professional interests. The written and verbal communication skills gained by studying Western Civilization lend themselves to career opportunities in writing, editing, and research for popular media or in academia.

Full Answer

Why do non-Western people need to study Western civilization?

Non-Western people who wish to share in the things that characterize modernity will need to study the ideas and history of Western civilization to achieve what they want, and Westerners who wish to preserve them must do the same. The many civilizations adopted by the human race have shared basic characteristics.

Was the Western civilization inevitable?

The civilization of the West, however, was not the result of some inevitable process through which other cultures will automatically pass. It emerged from a unique history in which chance and accident often played a vital part.

Is modern world our universal civilization shaped chiefly by the west?

I think V. S. Naipaul, born in Trinidad of Indian parents, is right to speak of the modern world as “our universal civilization” shaped chiefly by the West. Most people around the world who know of them want to benefit from the achievements of Western science and technology.

Is the primacy of reason necessary for the development of civilization?

The primacy of reason and the pursuit of objectivity, therefore, both characteristic of the Western experience, seem to be essential for the achievement of the desired goals anywhere in the world. The civilization of the West, however, was not the result of some inevitable process through which other cultures will automatically pass.

Why should we learn about Western Civilization?

They add that “a knowledge of our past, such as is provided by the history of Western civilization, helps us to comprehend 'how things have come to be what they are,' and enables us to place ourselves more intelligently in the world.” As Cicero famously writes, “Not to know what has been transacted in former times is ...

What is Western Civilization and why is it important?

Western civilization refers to the art, literature, culture, and enduring ideas that emerged from the eastern Mediterranean basin in the centuries before the common era, that developed in myriad forms through the Middle Ages, and that ultimately took modern shape after the Renaissance.

What do you learn in a Western Civilization class?

Like all history studies, the study of Western Civilization equips its students with critical thinking skills, analytical skills, and strong written and verbal communication skills.

What is Western Civilization in college?

The Western Civilization I exam deals with Ancient Greece, Rome, and the Near East; the Middle Ages; Renaissance and Reformation.

What makes Western civilization unique?

Tendencies that have come to define modern Western societies include the concept of political pluralism, individualism, prominent subcultures or countercultures (such as New Age movements) and increasing cultural syncretism resulting from globalization and human migration.

How does Western culture influence the world?

The impact that western culture has on various parts of the world is very broad. The exploitation of fast food and western fashion through multinational corporations, has allowed western culture to influence religion, culture, tradition, economy, and government. It reduces the country's traditional way of clothing.

What are the core values of Western civilization?

Some of the central characteristics of Western culture include: Democracy. Rational thinking. Individualism.

What is the most important event in Western history?

The Hundred Years War begins. This was a conflict between England and France over who should control the French throne. The French monarchy comes out stronger then ever, but the feudal system begins to break down. Charlemagne is the first person to be crowned Holy Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III.

Is Western civilization still taught?

While still taught at many universities today, Western Civilization courses are now often presented as general European history survey courses—a holdover from a bygone era.

Is Western Civ required?

Nationwide, only 17% of colleges require Western Civ, and only 18% require American history or government.

Is Western Civilization 1 hard?

Most of the information covered on this exam is the mainstream ancient history that we've all learned in high school. The reason this one is ranked as a mid-3 on the difficulty scale is due to the memorization that it requires.

What is Western civilization's greatest contribution to humanity?

The West has contributed a great many technological, political, philosophical, artistic and religious aspects to modern international culture: having been a crucible of Catholicism, Protestantism, democracy, industrialisation; the first major civilisation to seek to abolish slavery during the 19th century, the first to ...

What is classical education?

A classical education is a heritage bestowed upon us to preserve for and convey to future generations. The Creation of Adam by Michelangelo, Handel’s Messiah, Plutarch’s Lives, Augustine’s Confessions, Galileo’s Two New Sciences, Shakespeare’s Sonnets, and the Gospel of John belong to all of our students. I recently visited King’s Grove School, a classical school near Tulsa, Oklahoma, devoted to teaching students with special needs. In the mornings, students learn reading and spelling, writing and arithmetic. In the afternoons between necessary therapies, they hear beautiful music and gaze upon great art through the “Wonder, Beauty, and Imagination” section of our Simply Classical Curriculum. I observed with delight as students listened to a reading from the Bible about eternal life, heard Pachelbel’s simple “Canon in D,” and studied the warm, golden landscape of “ Peace and Plenty ” by George Inness. One young girl, a student with Down syndrome, fixed her eyes on the painting and spoke slowly with great longing, “I want to go there.” Her teacher softly told her, “In Jesus, we will all go to the land of peace and plenty.”

Did Western civilization offend you?

Once upon a time, when a person intended to learn about education, the words “Western civilization” did not offend him. Today, for reasons that elude many of us, hearers now take offense at these words and the studies they embody. I witnessed this firsthand at a recent homeschooling convention in a room filled to its three hundred-seat capacity, ...

Where did Western civilization originate?

However, Western civilization goes all the way back to the ancient world, grounded in the Middle East and the Mediterranean, from Mesopotamia and Egypt to Greece and Rome. At the foundation of Western civilization, the Americas were unknown and our current understanding of global politics and economics was incomprehensible.

What are the three key pillars of Western civilization?

Important to our understanding of Western civilization are three key pillars that make it distinctive in the world: the Judeo-Christian tradition, democracy and rationality.

How did Descartes challenge the scientific method?

During the Enlightenment, Descartes challenged the empiricism of the scientific method by applying a method of doubt, or skepticism. Our senses can be inaccurate, therefore, the acquisition of knowledge must be attained through pure thought; by the application of deduction.

What is the ideal of governance?

The fundamental idea has been to involve as many people as possible in self-government, with the assumption that individual liberties are best protected when individuals have a voice in policy making.

Why should we be educated in self-government?

If people are to participate in self-government, they should be well educated in order to understand the rule of law, to engage in public policy debate and to contemplate the ethical values that bear upon individual and corporate well being.

How is salvation accomplished?

Salvation is accomplished not through our own effort, but through someone coming from outside our closed system to do what we could not do. The infinite takes on finitude to save the finite. Both Judaism and Christianity promote essential moral values based on the holiness of God.

Why is the idea of the fall important?

The idea of the fall explains why life is a path of suffering. At the core of both Jewish and Christian faith is sacrifice. To atone for sin, sacrifice is necessary. In the Old Testament, the rhythm of regular sacrifice upon the altar framed the narrative of individual and corporate sin.

Athelwulf Rest in peace Kurt... Registered Senior Member

The local community college offers history classes for both Eastern and Western civilization. Each has three classes which can be taken out of sequence, and there are no prerequisites. So I think it will be possible for me to take a history class in the upcoming spring term, even though I'm not starting college in fall.

Sock puppet path GRRRRRRRRRRRR Valued Senior Member

If you are interested in history start at the beginning. I read pretty much only history now (boring habit I know but noone steals my books) and I always find myself getting curious about why things were how they were at any given period. So the timeline of my reading often goes backwards.

Chatha big brown was screwed up Registered Senior Member

I see your delimmer. Why not just go in between and take African history, its geographically and politically in the middle. Believe me, with the amount of settlers and nonsettlers that pass through Africa every 1000 years, you are bound to come accross hints of Western and Eastern civilizations.

madanthonywayne Morning in America Registered Senior Member

You should definately take 101. How can you understand the history of other cultures, when you don't even know your own?

Roman Banned Banned

You should definately take 101. How can you understand the history of other cultures, when you don't even know your own?

madanthonywayne Morning in America Registered Senior Member

If you were doing even anything in highschool, you probably picked a pretty good idea of your own history. I've found that the higher level western history classes just fill in details.

lightgigantic Banned Banned

The local community college offers history classes for both Eastern and Western civilization.

Judeo-Christian Tradition

Democracy

Rationality

A Rationale For Western Civilization

• Having explored to some extent the unique qualities of Western civilization, we may now be in a position to understand why it is so important to place it so prominently within our school curriculum. Students need to learn their story. The Western story is a complex story, unique and meaningful. It is not a superior civilization nor is it without it...

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